Caryophyllaceae

Caryophyllaceae, the pink, or carnation, family of flowering plants (order Caryophyllales), comprising some 86 genera and 2,200 species of herbaceous annuals and perennials, mainly of north temperate distribution. The members are diverse in appearance and habitat; most of them have swollen leaf and stem joints. They have five sepals and five petals, but it is thought that the latter are in origin modified stamens. There are usually 5 or 10 stamens, with an ovary borne above them. The ovules are borne in the centre of the ovary, and there are usually no walls dividing up the ovary cavity. The five sepals are joined, forming a tube, in Silene and its relatives.

Among the important genera are Stellaria (seephotograph); Cerastium; Arenaria (including sandwort); Silene and Lychnis; Gypsophila; and Saponaria (including soapwort). The most valued horticulturally is Dianthus, which includes the carnation, commonly cultivated by florists and also grown in Europe for use in perfumes; sweet William, an old-fashioned garden flower; and the cottage, or grass, pink. See alsobaby’s breath; campion; carnation; chickweed; pink; sweet William.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch, Associate Editor.